Humidity: 75 percent
Wind: E/SE 15-20 mph
This morning was the Fargo Marathon; my seventh total. Because of the expected weather and wind, I went into the race this morning open-minded. Yes, I had a time I wanted to hit, but my main goal today was to simply run with joy, no matter what happened. John 15:11 says, “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” I thought of this verse many times throughout the race. I simply wanted to praise God out on the course today and have a good time, even if I didn’t hit my time goal. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” This was my prayer today, race for Him and not for men (or myself and my time goal).
Miles 1-20: These miles were euphoric. As each mile went by it was as though I was just starting the race. I was enjoying the presence of the bands playing along the way and the people lining the course. During these miles the sky began to open up and the sun began to peak through the clouds, causing the sort of “sauna affect” that every runner dreads during a long race.
Miles 21-26.2: As a result of the “sauna affect,” it seems as though everything changed in an instant. I began to sweat more and lose more sodium and electrolytes. I also experienced my first, well, let’s just call it a bathroom situation (I’ll spare you the details) during a marathon. So between sweating more and my bathroom situation I lost a lot of fluids. Around mile 21 or 22 my hamstrings began to cramp up, first the right side, then the left. I would run a mile or two and have to stop; I stopped three or four times total to stretch out. Before all of this happened I was right on target, 2:41ish pace. Due to the stops I had to make I finished in 2:47.28. Even though I finished slower than I wanted I couldn’t help but be overcome with joy!
For complete results you can go here
On a side note, this race has the best finishers medal of any marathon around the country. How you might ask? It’s quite simple, because Hebrews 12:1 is on ALL finisher medals! How cool is that? Below is a picture.
